2004 Volvo XC90 Review

This is Volvo's first attempt at a mainstream SUV. The dynamic good looks are more European than American or Japanese. To some it's even more attractive than the BMW X5. As a bonus it's considerably cheaper (comparably equipped), but gives up nothing in the cachet department. Volvo claims it's as safe as any of their cars and, with an innovative and truly remarkable roll stability control (RSC), no more prone to rollover than a normal sedan. Price: US$ 36,565; Warranty: 4years, 50,000 miles.

First Glance

Volvos are all about safety. Right? So when Volvo announced it had an SUV ready to go, the automotive journalism world collectively groaned, expecting a re-badged Explorer or worse. In response, Volvo invited a covey of North American journalists to Sweden to test the new XC90 on the track. They handed everyone safety helmets and told them to get out there and try their level best to roll the XC90. Know what? They couldn't. Not a single testosterone-bulging one of 'em was able to make the XC90 flip over. This is not to say that a hustling sales rep or harried suburban mom with a cell phone in one hand and a grand latte in the other can't manage it, but it won't be easy. Every XC90 comes standard with 'roll stability control' (RSC). The system uses gyroscopic sensors to register the vehicle's roll speed and angle. Using this information, the terminal angle is instantly calculated and, with it, the rollover risk. If the calculated angle is greater than 13 degrees and there is a clear risk of rolling over, the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) anti-skid system is activated to put things right again.

In the Driver's Seat

The vehicle architecture has been very intelligently thought out. A transverse, in-line engine placement has given the designers a lot of space to work with. They've managed to fit three (quite useable) rows of seats in what is actually a very compact body - the XC90 is only about 3-inches longer than the V70 wagon. The interior is elegant - more X5 than RX330. The instrument panel follows Volvo's recent trend to Scandinavian modern, with an emphasis on simple lines and functionality. While there's plenty of information from the instruments, retrieving that information is not an all that intuitive a process. If you're like me, you'll need quality time with your owner's manual first. I will concede, though, the sound system controls are somewhat less puzzling than other Volvos.

On the Road

Two aluminum engines are available with the XC90, an optional 2.9 litre in-line 6 cylinder (with twin turbochargers) producing 268hp and 280 lb-ft of torque and the base 2.5 litre inline 5-cylinder with a low-pressure turbocharger producing 208 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque (at 1500 rpm). Having spent a week with each of them, I much prefer the smaller (2.5T) engine. I found it less nervous, far more comfortable to drive around the city and significantly more economical on gas. It's also a heck of a lot cheaper than the six. The XC90's wide and long wheelbase, coupled with a near 50/50 weight distribution, makes for a stable, surprisingly car-like ride. It behaves quite predictably even on twisty and uneven roads. The short turning radius makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots. Haldex of Sweden developed the electronic all-wheel-drive system. The Haldex system automatically distributes power between the front and rear wheels depending on slippage, but normally sends 95% of the power to the front wheels. It can react in as little as one seventh of a revolution of any wheel.

Journey's End

Volvo seems to have done its typically exceptional job in addressing safety concerns with the 2004 XC90, particularly rollover and collision protection. It has also been superb in challenging its direct competitors in their strength areas. For example, the car is sportier and more fun to drive than the Lexus RX 330 or the Acura MDX; while its ride is characteristically European, it's cheaper than either the X5 or the Touareg; and it's more compact, easier to maneuver and has better seats than the Trailblazer or Explorer. In sum, with the 2004 XC90 Volvo has raised the bar for all the other SUV makers.